Lola Méndez is an Uruguayan-American freelance journalist. For the past seven years, she has written about travel, culture, sustainability, wellness, and more for publications such as The Washington Post, CNN, USA Today, BBC, Nat Geo, Vogue, and more. She left the United States in 2015 and has traveled to all continents and to over 90 countries. She currently resides in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where her hobbies include yoga, meditation, vegan meet-ups, waterfall hikes, and ethical wildlife sightings. You can follow her on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @lolaannamendez and her responsible travel blog, missfilatelista.com
Lola Méndez

Lola Méndez

Contributor, Asia, Mexico & Latin America

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Articles (8)

The most incredible hikes in Asia

The most incredible hikes in Asia

Asia has some of the most diverse geography in the world, which makes it home to some of the best hikes on Earth. The continent has the highest and the lowest points on the planet — the legendary Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world at nearly 9,000 meters, and the Dead Sea bordering Palestine and Jordan at 430 meters below sea level. And you can hike in both! You don’t have to be a professional hiker to enjoy Asia’s trails. Many less strenuous routes with stunning scenery can be enjoyed in a few hours. In Asia, you can trek to the peaks of colossal mountains covered in snow, to ancient Buddhist shrines, to vantage points over pristine beaches, and so much more. These are the best hikes in Asia. RECOMMENDED: Stunning islands in Asia you need to visit at least once and The absolute best hotels in Asia right now

The best airlines in Asia

The best airlines in Asia

Many of Asia’s airlines continuously receive awards for being some of the best airlines in the world. From luxury liners with top-notch service to budget airlines that sweep you off to Asia’s most beautiful locales. Many of these Asian airlines are part of the oneworld Alliance or the Star Alliance making it easy to book with mileage partners and rack up points and miles. RECOMMENDED: Stunning islands in Asia you need to visit at least once and The absolute best hotels in Asia right now

The best islands in Asia you need to visit at least once

The best islands in Asia you need to visit at least once

Asia is a continent of many islands, with Southeast Asia alone home to over 20,000 islands. As you can imagine, there’s breathtaking diversity across these slices of paradise: on the continent's largest island, Borneo, you can see wild orangutans; in Bali you can immerse yourself in Hindu spirituality; and in Okinawa, you can get a taste of what it’s like to live past 100. You could visit them all if you had the time, but you don’t have to – not when we’ve narrowed it down to seven of the absolute best islands to visit in Asia, each boasting epic beaches and fascinating culture.  RECOMMENDED: The most spectacular places to visit in Asia and The absolute best beaches in Asia

The best beaches in Asia for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing

The best beaches in Asia for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing

Located between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Asia is notorious for having some of the best beaches in the world. Much of Southeast Asia is in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which created many of the islands in the region. More diverse aquatic life can be found in Asia than in other areas of the planet, making it a snorkelling and diving hotspot. Beautiful beaches can be found beyond Southeast Asia, from Japan to India too. You’ll find picturesque white sand beaches with aquamarine waters in Asia — many of which boast vibrant marine life and others that serve as an idyllic city escape.

The world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly cities, according to LGBTQ+ travellers

The world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly cities, according to LGBTQ+ travellers

Happy Pride Month, one and all! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and to celebrate, we asked Time Out’s LGBTQ+-identifying writers and editors to tell us all about their favourite city on the planet. The resulting list covers all four corners of the globe, from the beaches of Brazil to the creative hub of Glasgow’s Southside. These are cities with a vibrant queer community, cities that support and protect LGBTQ+ citizens and visitors, and cities that are notable hubs for LGBTQ+ life in their respective countries and regions. So, what are the world’s most LGBTQ+-friendly cities? While we couldn’t possibly name them all, these are some of our favourites. RECOMMENDED:🗻 The world’s best places to travel alone🗺 The world’s most underrated travel destinations😎 The coolest neighbourhoods in the world  

The 14 best international travel hacks for Americans

The 14 best international travel hacks for Americans

Whether traveling abroad to hit up a stunning beach, dine at one of the world's best restaurants or check off your European bucket list, the voyage itself is always an adventure. A trip overseas also requires extra forethought and preparation: gathering the correct document, getting familiar with your destination and finding ways to make the travel time a little more enjoyable. If done right, however, an international trip doesn't have to be stressful—especially if you follow these best international travel hacks. From scoring wallet-friendly flights to taking advantage of credit card perks (lounge life is calling), these tried-and-true strategies will make you a savvy international traveler. 

The 20 best restaurants in Mexico

The 20 best restaurants in Mexico

Mexico is home to some of the best cuisine in the world with an abundance of traditional dishes that hail from various states and pueblos. No two places prepare tacos the exact same way whether it be from a street stall to a high-end dining establishment. Eating in Mexico is a culinary adventure that will tantalize the taste buds. Taste regional and seasonal dishes across the country’s top tourist destinations including Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Mexico City. These are 20 of today’s best restaurants in Mexico, including new spots that preserve traditional cooking practices and others that celebrate contemporary Mexican cuisine. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Mexico

El mejor barrio del mundo en 2022 ¡está en México!

El mejor barrio del mundo en 2022 ¡está en México!

Le preguntamos a 20.000 habitantes de las principales ciudades en el mundo, ¿cuál es el mejor barrio?, ¿qué lo hace especial?, y cuáles son los lugares imprescindibles para divertirse, comer, comprar y hacer comunidad. Desde Portugal a Camboya, muchas ciudades figuraron en el conteo, pero solo un barrio mexicano se llevó la corona este 2022 en el Time Out Index. Además, los locales eligieron otros vecindarios como sus favoritos en México. Nuestro país es un lugar lleno de calidez en su gente, gastronomía deliciosa y hallazgos únicos en sus calles. Va la lista de los barrios mexicanos más votados en el conteo. Revisa la lista completa de los 51 barrios más cool del mundo en este enlace.